Can distilled water in gallon plastic bottles expire?

Can distilled water in gallon plastic bottles expire? - Two Clear Plastic Bottles on Black Surface

I am puzzled about this. Depending on what article I read I get different results. There are no experts per say. It's just a bunch of people voicing their opinion concerning distilled water expiration date.

The water is sealed in plastic containers from the factory processed it. The container is HDPE #2. Some bottles say "bestby" but others say "expiration". They have a seal around the cap but I can't say if it was intended to be airtight.



Best Answer

There is no reliable expiration date for commercially bottled water, apparently because relevant authorities (such as the US FDA) have declined to scientifically test for it. Per bottledwater.org:

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which regulates bottled water as a packaged food product [in the US], has determined that there is no limit to the shelf life of bottled water ... Because it is packaged under sanitary, good manufacturing practices; is in a sanitary sealed container; and does not contain substances (such as sugars and proteins) typically associated with food spoilage, bottled water can be stored for extended periods of time without concerns.

As such, any expiration dates you see on bottled water are the result of either the manufacturer's idea of when you should change bottles (which might be wanting to encourage stock rotation) or because you live in one of the places where your local authorities set an expiration date on a political, commercial, or consistency basis.

Theoretically, since consumer plastic packaging is not 100% impervious, any bottled water will get contaminated by outside organisms eventually. But no study I've been able to find has good data on what "eventually" looks like, and even baseless estimates range from 2 to 10 years.




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Quick Answer about "Can distilled water in gallon plastic bottles expire?"

Like plain water, store-bought distilled water lasts pretty much indefinitely when stored properly.

How long does distilled water last in a gallon jug?

In a Nutshell If you plan on drinking the water, finish it within 5 to 7 days. If it's going to be used in various appliances, it should last at least a year if stored properly. Store distilled water in glass or HDPE containers for best results.

How long is bottled distilled water good for?

Distilled water will last indefinitely if it is stored correctly and no contaminants come into contact with the water. Bottled distilled water usually comes with a best-before date. As long as you have stored the water properly, it should still be good to use even past this date.

Can I use expired distilled water?

If you buy distilled water from a store, the chances are that it has an expiration date on it. At the very least, it might have a label saying something like \u201cbest before x.\u201d While this is something to be aware of, it is not drastically important. Unopened distilled water can last for over two years.

Can distilled water be stored in plastic?

We recommend that you store it in a glass container. Plastic containers can cause the distilled water to become contaminated as it will leach the chemicals from the plastic. Glass has been proven to be the best option as it will have minimal effect on the water over time.



Does Water Ever Expire?




Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Images: George Becker, Tobias Penner, Emma Pollard, Karolina Grabowska